Don’t Let Halloween Makeup Ruin Your Skin
The scariest thing this Halloween and Day of the Dead may actually be the makeup you are putting on your face!
Lead is a known carcinogen and powerful neurotoxin that scientists generally agree has no safe level of exposure. Its negative effects are wide reaching, affecting nearly every part of the body. And yet, lead can be found in numerous brands of makeup in the United States. According to a
Huffington Post article, a recent study found that 66% of the top brands of lipstick sold in the U.S. contain lead, not to mention other toxic metals like cadmium, aluminum, and nickel as well. And a study conducted by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics found that 10 out of 10 children’s Halloween makeup items tested positive for lead. Yikes!
Phthalates, parabens, dioxins and formaldehyde are not only found in Halloween face paint, but also in many everyday makeup items as well. These ingredients have been known to cause a range of health issues from skin irritation to cancer.
Titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are often found in Halloween face paints, according to
Green Mom Guide. Though titanium dioxide can be harmful when inhaled as a dust, it is considered safe when use on the skin. Zinc oxide is also considered a safe topical ingredient, but when ingested can cause digestive issues including upset stomach and diarrhea.
It has been thought that we absorb about 80% of what goes on our skin – great news when it comes to natural anti-aging products, bad news when it comes to toxic drug-store makeup. Unfortunately you won’t find many of the toxic ingredients listed on your makeup’s packaging, as the FDA doesn’t mandate disclosure on heavy metals, making it more difficult to determine if your makeup may contain harmful ingredients.
So, what is a concerned consumer and makeup lover to do?
Research. Consult watchdog websites like the
Campaign for Safe Cosmetics.
Go natural. Look for face paints that are colored with natural pigments from fruit, vegetables, flowers and other botanicals.
Read the labels. Even though they may not specify the exact harmful ingredients (think heavy metals), you can look for products that say they are “free from parabens, formaldehyde, synthetic dyes and other harmful chemicals.”
Stick with brands you can trust, like Stemology! If the company that produces your makeup products is health conscious, prides themselves on ethical formulation practices, and makes natural and organic ingredients a priority, you should feel relatively safe with those products.
There are a lot of makeup options out there for Halloween Tricksters and Day of the Dead revelers. Make sure the ones you choose this season are safe and healthy!
